CLEAR LAKE – Law enforcement chased a vehicle through Clear Lake early Sunday morning, and the pursuit ended in the death of the male driver.
Around 1:40 AM on Sunday, July 13, 2025, the Clear Lake Police Department was notified by the Iowa State Patrol that a trooper had initiated a pursuit of a 2015 Ford Focus traveling at a high rate of speed within the city limits of Clear Lake.
Shortly after the pursuit was initiated and while attempting to flee from law enforcement, the vehicle crashed at the intersection of 4th Ave S. and South Shore Drive, striking two unoccupied, legally-parked cars, a tree and an unoccupied home.
Officers immediately rendered aid to the single occupant of the vehicle and requested a Clear Lake Fire Department ambulance respond. The male driver was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries from the crash. The name of the driver was not immediately released, but was later revealed to be 22-year-old Zachary Henry Hill of Forest City.
According to an obituary, “Zach was a graduate of Forest City High School (Class of 2021) and continued his education at NIACC and the University of North Dakota. Outside the classroom and job site, Zach demonstrated leadership and perseverance as a Boy Scout, proudly earning the rank of Eagle Scout, a milestone that reflected his integrity and work ethic.”
The intersection of 4th Avenue South and South Shore Drive was closed for several hours while officers completed the crash investigation.